Is Cole Palmer fit to play for Chelsea? Injury update and FPL deadline change explained

Cole Palmer will not play for Chelsea against Sunderland on Saturday afternoon as Enzo Maresca - and Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers alike - continue to make do without the England playmaker. Palmer, 23, has been nursing a troublesome groin injury throughout what has been a stop-start season so far.

His worth to Maresca is unmatched, as underlined by a staggering goals and assists return last season. However, the former Manchester City man - currently valued at £10.3m on the official FPL game - has totted-up just 10 appearances for Chelsea so far this campaign - including in their successful Club World Cup charge - with five goals and two assists to show for his efforts.

In the FPL world, that usually translates to guaranteed points for players of the much-loved online game. But the wait for Palmer's return - predicted to be early-December - continues.

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During his absence, Maresca - and FPL managers - have been forced to come up with a contingency plan to lead their respective charges. In the make-believe world, players like Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) and Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham) have been worthy alternatives so far this season, not to mention Jack Grealish (Everton).

FPL is set to enter Game Week 9 this weekend. Here, football.london takes a look at Palmer's recovery and why the online deadline has been brought forward before the upcoming matches;

Is Cole Palmer fit to play for Chelsea vs Sunderland?

No. Having endured a stop-start season, the Chelsea talisman is not set to return until early December.

What has Enzo Maresa said about Cole Palmer's injury?

Palmer has, naturally, been a hot-topic for Maresca during his recent press conferences. Sharing his latest update on the playmaker, from October 17, Chelsea's head coach said: "We try to protect Cole as much as we can and the most important thing is that when he comes back, he's fully fit.

"We hope the six weeks will be enough, but it's a problem we need to look at step-by step, week-by-week."

When is FPL's deadline on Game Week 9?

Now this might catch one or two gamers out this weekend. An earlier-than-usual deadline for making changes to your squad is 6.30pm (UK time) on Friday, October 24.

It's been brought forward from Saturday morning due to Leeds United and West Ham going toe-to-toe on Friday night at Elland Road. Chelsea, for context, are inked-in for a 3pm Saturday afternoon kick-off against Sunderland at Stamford Bridge - and football.london will bring you in-depth coverage from that match.